no WR's for 2010

[MTrowbridge]

I'm planning to get a new 450 in 2011 to replace my '05 WR450. What I'd like would be:

* EFI (there is no excuse for this not to be on the next WR model change)

* Lighter than current WR450

* Higher ground clearance than current WR450 (KTM450 has 1 1/2" more ground clearance under skid plate than current WR)

* Firmer springs/suspension; '09 bike is too soft for most riders as is

* Lower COG (perhaps using new YZ tricks; i.e. frame, engine design, pipe from rear of engine, etc)

* Dual sport legal

* Enduro computer stock with more functions than current

* Better headlight

If I don't see some of these improvements I may lean in the direction of Orange the next time around.

What do you all think?

[123BigcoopDawg576]

What I'd like would be:

* EFI (there is no excuse for this not to be on the next WR model change)

* Lighter than current WR450

* Higher ground clearance than current WR450 (KTM450 has 1 1/2" more ground clearance under skid plate than current WR)

* Firmer springs/suspension; '09 bike is too soft for most riders as is

* Lower COG (perhaps using new YZ tricks; i.e. frame, engine design, pipe from rear of engine, etc)

* Dual sport legal

* Enduro computer stock with more functions than current

* Better headlight

If I don't see some of these improvements I may lean in the direction of Orange the next time around.

Out of all that, I think the only thing that you MIGHT see is the EFI

[KAS]

I'm planning to get a new 450 in 2011 to replace my '05 WR450. What I'd like would be:

* EFI (there is no excuse for this not to be on the next WR model change)

* Lighter than current WR450

* Higher ground clearance than current WR450 (KTM450 has 1 1/2" more ground clearance under skid plate than current WR)

* Firmer springs/suspension; '09 bike is too soft for most riders as is

* Lower COG (perhaps using new YZ tricks; i.e. frame, engine design, pipe from rear of engine, etc)

* Dual sport legal

* Enduro computer stock with more functions than current

* Better headlight

If I don't see some of these improvements I may lean in the direction of Orange the next time around.

What do you all think?

I'm hoping the next WR450F is an off-road version of the 2010 YZ. Plain & simple.

[The.Moto.Smith]

The 2010 WR450F just got BNG, a gripper seat and reflectors here in Canada.

http://yamaha-motor.ca/products/products.php?model=3264&section=ft&group=M#contentTop

[Erik Rueb]

I own a wr 250f and absolutely love it. Few break downs wikt it though. New regulator £ 82 !!! New head stock bearings . New headlight bulb £ 25 !!!!

All in its second year. Now looking at buying a second bike . Maybe KTM 400 EXC or stay blue with a WR 450 F ?? Mmmmh decisions decisions

[KAS]

If you ride a lot of tight woods, the KTM 400 is about the sweetest 4-stroke you can buy.

[bikeslut]

I'm planning to get a new 450 in 2011 to replace my '05 WR450. What I'd like would be:

* EFI (there is no excuse for this not to be on the next WR model change)

* Lighter than current WR450

* Higher ground clearance than current WR450 (KTM450 has 1 1/2" more ground clearance under skid plate than current WR)

* Firmer springs/suspension; '09 bike is too soft for most riders as is

* Lower COG (perhaps using new YZ tricks; i.e. frame, engine design, pipe from rear of engine, etc)

* Dual sport legal

* Enduro computer stock with more functions than current

* Better headlight

If I don't see some of these improvements I may lean in the direction of Orange the next time around.

What do you all think?

I agree with you 100%... I am not holding my breath for it, because it won't happen... but that is EXACTLY what I would want

The Japanese are conceding the "hard enduro dot" bike to the Europeans...

[weathergeek]

I'm planning to get a new 450 in 2011 to replace my '05 WR450. What I'd like would be:

* EFI (there is no excuse for this not to be on the next WR model change)

* Lighter than current WR450

* Higher ground clearance than current WR450 (KTM450 has 1 1/2" more ground clearance under skid plate than current WR)

* Firmer springs/suspension; '09 bike is too soft for most riders as is

* Lower COG (perhaps using new YZ tricks; i.e. frame, engine design, pipe from rear of engine, etc)

* Dual sport legal

* Enduro computer stock with more functions than current

* Better headlight

If I don't see some of these improvements I may lean in the direction of Orange the next time around.

What do you all think?

Exactly. I am a true blue guy too and always have been cause I think they are the best looking and most reliable. But next bike will be orange if there is no equal Yammie with the plate, AND in true dirtbike form.

[Erik Rueb]

I own a wr 250f ,07 model and use it for trail riding. Thinking about buying a 09 wr 450 f and leaving it on super moto wheels and just keeping the 250 for trail riding. Or the other alternative would be to wait a bit and get a yz 450 f 2010 model and make it road legal with wr parts ??? Your thoughts please !!

[panaman]

I'm hoping the next WR450F is an off-road version of the 2010 YZ. Plain & simple.

I'd rather put my wiener in a meet grinder....

I already have fuel range issues with the 2.1 gallon tank.....

Moving the exhaust to the rear of the cyclender will cause you to move your air filter into the gas tank space.... that is why it only holds 1.6 gallons of gas.

Don't get me wrong.. its more than enough for a closed course motocross bike, but not so good for a trail bike.

[weathergeek]

I'd rather put my wiener in a meet grinder....

I already have fuel range issues with the 2.1 gallon tank.....

Moving the exhaust to the rear of the cyclender will cause you to move your air filter into the gas tank space.... that is why it only holds 1.6 gallons of gas.

Don't get me wrong.. its more than enough for a closed course motocross bike, but not so good for a trail bike.

Gas is not a problem with a 3.6 Clarke tank. 100 mile range.

[YZEtc]

I think that the question is:

Where is the larger fuel capacity going to go with a newly-designed WR-450F based on the 2010 YZ-450F fuel tank arrangement?

This is assuming they actually decide to do such a thing with a WR-450F.

[weathergeek]

Good point, but the WR's have always had bigger gas tanks anyway, right? How have they done this in the past? Seems to me they would have to find a way for more fuel being that it's a trail bike, right? All this maybe maybe stuff. I sure hope Yamaha really wakes up and joins the game and gives a a true Dual Sport/off road bike in big bore form.

[YZEtc]

Have you taken a good look at the 2010 YZ-450F on the www.yamaha-motor.com site?

The way it's been done in the past is by basically moving the fuel capacity upward, downward, forward, backward, and sideways.

People are wondering what would be done in this case.

My guess is that the bike simply wouldn't get the whole YZ treatment.

I'd love to be able to buy a 450cc dual-purpose Yamaha that's basically a competition dirt bike with a license plate mount on the back, but we've never seen one in the USA, yet, and I've been waiting for 28 years.

Maybe in 2011?

What I would expect is just a 450cc version of the current WR-250R:

A decent bike for sure, but it weighs 40 lbs. more (yes, 40 lbs.) than an off-road-only WR-250F, has less power (because it has to meet EPA regs and last for mile upon mile out on the streets for the year-long warranty period), and has a suspension that works OK, but ain't in the WR-250F league.

In other words:

Seriously fattened-up and watered-down.

They're just too lawsuit- and EPA-cautious to give us anything else.

[weathergeek]

Have you taken a good look at the 2010 YZ-450F on the www.yamaha-motor.com site?

The way it's been done in the past is by basically moving the fuel capacity upward, downward, forward, backward, and sideways.

People are wondering what would be done in this case.

My guess is that the bike simply wouldn't get the whole YZ treatment.

I'd love to be able to buy a 450cc dual-purpose Yamaha that's basically a competition dirt bike with a license plate mount on the back, but we've never seen one in the USA, yet, and I've been waiting for 28 years.

Maybe in 2011?

What I would expect is just a 450cc version of the current WR-250R:

A decent bike forsure, but it weighs 40 lbs. more (yes, 40 lbs.) that an off-road-only WR-250F, has less power (because it has to meet EPA regs and last for mile upon mile out on the streets for the year-long warranty period), and has a suspension that works OK, but ain't in the WR-250F league.

In other words:

Seriously fattened-up and watered-down.

I am not terribly mechanically minded, but that is what I was thinking as to it would get most but not all the YZ updates. I am just thinking that Yamaha has lost some momentum and sales due to the KTM's, Husky's, etc. and therefore there is a greater chance than ever that the whole dual purpose thing could happen. Probably just wishful thinking though.

[wild west al]

even a new style dual cradle framed wr450 with the 09 engine (like the yz250f 2010) for 2010 would have been an improvement ,if the current model was easier to maintain it would be much more apealing.I think I will rebuild the old wr400 y2k again and ride it for a year or so longer the rekluse clutch is almost as good as an electric leg.

[pato1098s]

Blessed we are in Australia we buy our Wr 450's plated ready to go from the dealers. To me it seems the new 2010 Wr 450 is just a 09 with a gripper seat, I would say if stocks run out half way through 2010, there will be no more until the 2011 comes out. I'm going to buy a 09 and save $1000 to $1500 in loo of a gripper seat. I would like to hold off for the new tricked out 2011 wr450 for my supermoto machine but i can't wait a year

[panaman]

Us Ohio turds are rather lucky.... Its really easy to convert any dirtibke to a dualsport.... i've done it twice myself... once on my old XR400 and now on my WR450.... i got flush mount led turn signals, mirror, horn... woot

[yrun]

Did you have to update your stator? Are you still running the stock headlight?

I'm still deciding between this and the ktm450 ?

[panaman]

Did you have to update your stator? Are you still running the stock headlight?

I'm still deciding between this and the ktm450 ?

nope... didnt need to upgrade my stator....I am using my stock headlight....

I bought flush mount led turn signals from iron pony....

My old xr400 had the DRC ez-electic kit on it.($120 bucks). so i ripped all that stuff off..... you can just buy all the pieces seperate too...

basically handle bar switch, horn, ic-relay for the flasher....

I ended up making my own wiring harness.. i pretty much tapped into power at the wires coming from the power button. everything is behind the headlight.. including the horn....

the horn that came in the drc kit is crap.... go to radio shack and get the little siren.. its super tiny.....and only costs $5.50

(i was like you..... but looking at the Husky TE450 because it was already street legal....) but then i decided to save $2000 bucks and buy a wr450 and put some turn signals on it..... I don't regret my decision one bit.... all these brand new 450's are powerfull bikes with modern ergonomics and good suspension.... I feel no matter what one you get, you will have good fun on... so why spend all your money :-)